Vines and Vinification was originally conceived of as the study guide for the ‘Production of wine’ unit of the Wine and Spirit Education Trust’s (WSET) Level 4 Diploma in Wines and Spirits. It is now published as an accompaniment to unit 2, ahead of new diploma study materials that are being developed.

The book is founded on a collation of Clark Smith’s magazine columns. He does not readily define postmodern winemaking, but includes under its umbrella “micro-oxygenation, lees work and a sophisticated understanding of oak.”

The first egg vat was commissioned in 2001 by Michel Chapoutier, following discussions and design between Chapoutier and French vat manufacturer Marc Nomblot, whose company has been making concrete wine vats since 1922. The shapely historic connection to Roman amphorae was not coincidental in the design.